This Sunday, 10 Crown Heightsers woke up bright and early and went for a run… that ended 26.2 grueling miles later at Central Park. They were part of Team FCBC, running in support of Friendship Circle of Crown Heights and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights in the 2011 ING NYC Marathon.
Among the runners were Noami Aharon, Shmuel Cohen, Sarah Harrouch, Malka Perelman, Aaron Popack, Miralle Schildkrat-Mazuz, Mushkah Schneider, Yehudis Silverman, Mandy Storfer, and Chaya Wolf, coached by Chaim Backman of trichai.com
Bikur Cholim and Friendship Circle set up a cheering station at Mile 10, on Bedford and Myrtle Avenues complete with personalized T-shirts, signs, balloons, and of course, lots of Kosher Gatorade to give out to the passing runners. About 75 friends and family of the runners showed up to cheer them on, some coming from as far as Pittsburg and Toronto.
“I’m so humbled by the runners,” said spectator Chana Lew, who came to cheer on her friend Mushkah Schneider, “And also by how the whole Crown Heights came together to support the runners and these organizations.”
Chaya’le Eckhuas, representing the Friendship Circle of Crown Heights spoke about how inspiring it was to watch the runners prepare for the Marathon, “They worked so hard,” Eckhaus said, “Not just to physically train for the marathon, but how much time and energy they put into raising the money for our community. It was incredible to see.”
For Yehudis Silverman, originally of Pittsburgh, running the marathon was a way to give back to her new community of Crown Heights. “I’ve worked with Friendship Circles for years, and started to volunteer for Bikur Cholim this summer, so I know firsthand of the good that they do. This was just one way I could get involved.”
“There are some 47,000 runners out here, many of them committed to unbelievable causes,” said Esther Blau, a member of the Bikur Cholim advisory board, “and amongst them were our 10 Frum runners, dedicating time and soul to help our community, in Sheitels and skirts, Yarmulkas and Tzitzis. That is something we are incredibly proud of.”
I AGREE WITH NUMBER 7!!!U ARE SOOOO RIGTH!
People! look at the green lights-yes, they are Chabad Lite because the are all thinner for running the marathon-as an onlooker of the event-it was very inspiring. To see my kid cross the finish line was amazing! Go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do It !!!!!! MS UR the best!
morristown is proud of you!!!!
a bruder
keep it up!
You call everyone who dared to comment differently from you- ‘haters’. But your comment had far, far more hostility and intolerance than any of those who called for a level of modesty. Read their comments again and then yours.
I volunteer for one of the two organizations; and that has nothing to do with the fact that I also happen to agree with #7. Without disapproving of those who ran as individuals, I feel that as a ‘community event’ associated with Crown Heights, there is a more refined level of tznius that we can aspire to.
Some of these women have special needs children – as you can see in one of the pictures, and as I know about another one. Two of them, possibly more. Hashem put them in this situation – and they are being proactive about it by running for friendship circle/special needs. Kol Hakavod. Don’t just sit at home and dwell on your problems. Go out there and DO SOMETHING. Also, many shluchos get up and speak in front of crowds. This is permitted only L’shem Mitzvah. I think that exception applies here as well…women being in public (dressed tzniusly!) for a… Read more »
Brother
The Rebbe objected to girls being crossing guards so they shouldn’t be in the open like that. However, women also walked in front of the Rebbe on Lag B’omer.
That’s the most hateful statement on here yet. Hashem Yirachem – and people wonder why we haven’t yet merited Moshiach.
The pioneer of Team FC! You were missed!
THANK YOU those two wouldn’t know a kiddush Hashem if it carried them to the Beis Hamikdash.
To the runners, KOL HAKAVOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1- not everyone is as chassidish as u think you are ! 2 – just because u decided this is not chassidish doesn’t mean it’s not! 3- no one cares what u people think, this will continue anyway, and trus me every year it will grown, and more and more people will me signing up cuz it’s something amazing. 4- u probably don’t know anyone that was helped by bekur cholim and friend ship circle because if u your self need it them u would never would have said all of this !!! Don’t jugde someone until you are in… Read more »
well meaning but not appropriate.
Yeah they are dressed VERY tzniusdik. I really do not see the problem with them running at all. Women are allowed to walk, run, jog etc wherever they like. Umm #7 you have a problem with the women walking excercising up and down E pkwy tzniusly dressed as well? Maybe we ought to lock them in the house all day,let them gain weight and rot their brains like in other places? Well C”H may have a tznius issue but this isnt at all a problem. People like you who come on here looking to criticize any and everything are a… Read more »
one of the main characteristics of Tznius is to not call focus and attention towards one self in any way, having said that, to 7 how about some aidelkeit coated with just a tad of Ahavas Yisroel, and instead of an accusatory style write something like ” does this marathon running “past” for a bas Chabad” ? or something similar, the main thing is that it should be without NEGEL.
By commenting about Tznius, or untznius, or what people are wearing is not exactly helping the situation. Whether people agree with it or not, that is only dividing. No wonder there were so many comments on the Chabad Lite, as it is called. My goodness, why can’t people just let other people be…especially on the internet. If somebody does somethingin person, that is one thing. But to comment on a photo….? Which, by the way, really needed to be analyzed to make 100% sure that it was untznius……hence the fact that people need to STOP LOOKING for things to bash… Read more »
I am a young woman and I wish to extend a yasher koach to number 7 for standing up for what’s right and not being ashamed to say it. And I don’t care what anyone may say to bash my comment. I am standing up for the right thing and I AM PROUD OF IT.
I have manybtimes contemplated running a marathon for good causes. I always come back to question if this is what a Bas Chabad should be doing. (same for a guy). I am not here to criticize those who ran but in the future chabad organizations should ask the rabbonim if it is appropriate or not. Maybe a separate men’s/women’s marathon with a bunch of frum organization might be a more appropriate way. It is still a huge achievement for those that ran so regardless yasher koach. Let’s not forget we are chassidim of the Rebbe and need to make the… Read more »
Thank you to #7 #40 and #43. Even if the rest of the world thinks you are not entitled to voice your opinion.
As I Toshav Hashechunah, I am asking the Rabbonim to please clarify publicly if runing in the marathon dressed tznius is something that a chassidishe lubavitch person male or femalr should be doing wether it is for leisure, health or like in this marathon – raise funds for a great mitzvah. Please…
As a BT, I had the exact same thought as #7 (I’m a woman, by the way). I learned that a woman should not run in public for tsnius purposes — we’re not talking even fast running here. While I’m all for women supporting amazing causes, being in shape and running for exercise, should it really be done in public for absolutely everyone to see (think teenage boys for one..)?
good job buddy!!!
Way to go! Good for you. G-d must of shined on your hubby…….. Lol!
Proud cuzins from toronto
Tznius is not just a way of dress it is the way we conduct ourselves. Running in a marathon with men, untzniusdike women and down the main streets of New York in front of thousands of people is just not in the spirit of Tznius for a Bas/ Ben Yisroel. The reality is, that this never would have happened before Gimmel Tammuz and that definitely means something, no matter how great the cause. This is nothing to do with narrow-mindedness, it is just about having a sensitivity to the spirit of Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit which has been with us for… Read more »
To all the women runners, job well done!!
To all the haters out there, mind your own business!!
way to make everything negative
So nice of the runners from last year to come support the runners of this year! Go Chani Witkes and Esther Reisenberg!!!!!!!!!
Oh My Gosh Mi,
You’re ssssooo skinny, you’re fading away!!
Nice Job, Kol Hakovod!!
You did a great job for a great cause. We are proud to be one of your sponsors and prouder to be your aunt and uncle!!! Love, S & Y
here we go pittsburgh, here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go malka, yehudis and noami!!!!!!!
You inspire us! maybe we’ll join you next time:)
Awesome job Yehudis and Malka!
go malka perlman and mrs aaron
I am sooooooooo proud of you !!!! I wish i was there to cheer for you, and especially at the finish line, to give you the biggest hug, not only to tell you that you did a great job, but also to say thank you for the rest of us that couldn’t do it.
May Hashem give you the strength to continue to help others like always. I am so proud to have YOU as my niece!!
Your proud auntie Miri.. xoxoxoxoxo
Great to see you – wow, good for you!
Chanie Wilhelm
you need help!!!!
May u be blessed for all u do!!! keep it up 🙂
Yasher Koach!!!!!! We’re proud a you!!!
Go malka and yehudis!
go chayle eckhaus we are proud of u from your family in England
To my awesome sister who I’m so proud of-SARAH HARROUCH… U DID IT!!!! U RAN 42 KM in the shortest time from the crown heightsers!!!!!!
I love ur pic and the pic of the rents!!! 😉
May Hashem continue to give you endless energy to only be involved with good things!!!
Xoxo ur little Sis Gila.
so so proud of you!
No one asked you if its tznius, its an amazing thing these people are doing raising thousands of dollar for the case!
We are so proud of you!!!!
The frum women were covered more than majority of women walking down Kingston, in other words 100% tznius.
Your logic dictates that anywhere tree are women dressed not al pi halacha, it’s assur to walk, meaning all tue streets in tue world?!
Where do you negative commentors come from?! these runners did a huge mitzvah. You should be thanking them.
You need serious professional help!
I feel so sorry for you and your children…
Please let me know that you’re joking, so I don’t lose complete faith in the human race! (No pub intended)
I’m going to guess that these marathoners are “Chabad Lite” and personally I’d welcome them or their children in my moised!
i always wanders if there are some yiddisha woman who take part in the marathon since my wife is a big runner but she was embarrassed thinking that she would be the only one but now you are our hero
Halacha to be in shape and healthy !!! How healthy r u ?? There are not tzius woman every were u walk, so u don’t walk around the street ???
B”H to # 7 ts not tznius for you to be looking at pics of women
There has to be a better way to show your support for good causes. Running in a mixed environment is no different than mixed dancing, skating etc. When we tolerate this, it filters down to our children and the next thing you know their level of tznius is way down.
It may not be politically correct to criticize running in the streets, but it needs to be said.
maybe you are right, BUT MAYBE YOU ARE WRONG! who are you to say?
GET OFF THE INTERNET!! What a wonderful Kiddush Hashem was displayed yesterday. I hope next year there are 100 frum runners!! No halacha was compromised, and 47,000 runners and all spectators witnessed dedicated pple who spread goodness and kindness. It’s pple like you with access to internet that creeps me out.
Great job, Miralle!!!!! Youn rock!!!
Do yourself a favor, and to avoid looking at anything not Tznius, please stay home 24/7, and stare at yourself only.
You’ll feel better, and we (the public) will be safer; as it is obvious you see every woman as some sort of “threat” and “danger”. Stay away from them, lest you be tempted……
Better yet, join the Catholic Church as a Priest. I hear they have another way of controlling those “female” issues.
“and amongst them were our 10 Frum runners, dedicating time and soul to help our community, in Sheitels and skirts, Yarmulkas and Tzitzis. That is something we are incredibly proud of.”
it’s not tznius environment because of the way most women who run this marathon are dressed and it isn’t very tznius for Yiddishe women to be running in the open streets like that
Well for those whom aren’t ready for the Marathon yet http://www.jrunners5k.org/5KBHAR might be a good start
YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE R SOOOO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!
garfield and family 🙂
Awesome job!!! 🙂
Mushka you’re a true inspiration. When I grow up I want to be like you!!!! I always admired how every time you volunteered to help a family or child in need, you always came back as if they did YOU the biggest favor and chessed. Sometimes you slept overnight in the hospital with children who needed a big refuah, so the parents can have sometime to spend with the rest of their family. You always had a renewed energy after those nights. I am not surprised that running 26.2 miles was something so realisitic for someone like you. Following your… Read more »
Go team FCBC! yesterday was amazing!!!!
wahooo!!